A lifetime of service to the electrical industry: ABB congratulates David Kendall on winning the NEMA Kite & Key Award

Article
|
Cary, North Carolina, USA
|
2018-11-28

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently announced that David Kendall is a winner of its 2018 Kite & Key Award. David is the Director of Industry Affairs, EPIP (Electrification Products - Installation Products). He works closely with industry partners to promote the safe installation and use of electrical products, and received the award for his work in codes and standards. The announcement was made during NEMA’s Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

U.S. Managing Director Greg Scheu, Director of Industry Affairs David Kendall, and NEMA President and CEO Kevin Cosgriff

“The NEMA Annual Awards celebrate the achievement, applaud creativity, and salute electroindustry leaders,” said NEMA President and CEO Kevin J. Cosgriff. “Our industry’s innovators inspire us to keep moving forward by their pursuit of the next big idea. Each year we celebrate the journey of discovery. Our 2018 award winners all inspire us to keep testing our boundaries.”

A front row seat to the changing electrical industry

The Annual Awards’ history spans more than 90 years, and recognize individuals and companies for their achievements in and contributions to the electrical industry. The industry has completely transformed over the years, and David is proud to have had a front row seat to much of it.

“When I first started out in the electrical industry, my colleagues and I carried briefcases with hardcopy files, and printed out paper agendas for our meetings,” David said. “We debated over PVC (polyvinyl chloride) versus metal raceways, and fuses versus circuit breakers! Nearly 30 years later, the discussion centers on electrical systems, communication, and alternative energy. Everything is digital, and the amount of data being shared and stored is requiring larger data centers to be built. The tools designers and engineers use today – building information modeling (BIM), 3D modeling, and augmented reality (AR) – weren’t even on the radar when I started out.”

Never get complacent

It’s the ever-changing nature of the electrical industry that keeps David engaged. “Innovation is the most exciting part of being in this business and is what motivates me.”

His enthusiasm is palpable as he reels off a veritable laundry list of innovations spanning multiple markets. “Who could have predicted the rise of alternative energy – solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, fuel cells, and energy storage for clean electrical production? The construction industry is changing, too, with the advent of electric vehicle charging stations, Power over Ethernet (POE), and LED lights. The advances in safety at home, with AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter), surge protection devices (SPDs), and tamper-resistant receptacles. And in transportation, the development of smart highways, self-driving vehicles, and improved infrastructure help keep us safer on the road. The electrical industry is at the heart of it all.”

David has been active in NEMA for 27 years. His involvement includes:

Member of the Codes and Standards Committee for over two decades.

Initiator of the NEMA/NECA/IBEW and NEMA/IEC Technical Forums. The forums address common interests between the electrical contractors, journeymen, and manufacturers, and led to the development of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Chair of the NEMA/UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Policy Committee, which focuses on the impact of UL policies on the electrical industry.

Participant in numerous committees, subcommittees and task forces, all of which in some way address the development and issues of codes, standards, strategic initiatives, government affairs, and electrical product compliance and safety.

“One thing the past has taught me is that you can never be content, we have to embrace the future since it will continue to grow with innovated products, systems, and services. I’m excited that I’m a part of it and that I continue to represent ABB in these innovation opportunities and challenges.”

Congratulations, David! Thank you for your tireless service to the industry, and for representing ABB so well.